Since the dawn of e-versions or online versions of print resources, I’ve heard complaints about their findability in library discovery interfaces. I fully understand why this is confusing for users but at the same time, recognize the need to adhere to cataloging standards.

The most common way in which this is expressed to me is, “User x is looking for the online version of a print book and can’t find it when searching for books. Why can’t we catalog the online version in the same way as the book?” There may be many reasons why this occurs but the most common explanation is that the online version is not the same, not simply a reproduction, of the print equivalent. Many library personnel don’t realize that a print version wasn’t cataloged as a book, either. Often it has been cataloged as a serial, but users' (and other library personnel’s) perception is it is a book.

I realize this is a complicated issue and the devil is in the details. I’m happy to provide as many specific examples and details as necessary to illustrate.

My question is, how do you address this issue, balancing the need to serve user needs with the need to adhere to cataloging standards? In the last ten years or more, working in a range of libraries and settings, I haven’t found a good solution that satisfies everyone. The newer discovery interfaces do not really help, either. Any insight or advice is appreciated.

Cross-posted to  OCLC-CAT, SERIALST, and ERIL-L discussion lists.

Steve

Steve Oberg
Assistant Professor
Electronic Resources and Serials
Buswell Memorial Library
Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL  60187
+1 (630) 752-5852